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Earlier this summer, it was announced people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes would be able to self-refer to specialist support services in a bid to curb this disease and  one of the biggest risk factors in Covid-19 deaths. The intervention of “support” is  a soup-and-shake diet weight-loss plan. 

These “meal replacements” are packed full of artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, and gums. These very ingredients that play havoc with our gut microbiota and blood sugar levels. In addition to well-established risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including predisposition, poor physical activity, high consumption of refined and processed carbohydrates, an altered configuration of the microbial community in our gut – the microbiota – is also linked to type 2 diabetes - and what causes this "altered configuration"? yup- artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers and refined foods! 

Can we just stop! And apply some connected thinking here...?

Although many studies on fibre simply look at the association between total dietary fibre consumption and certain health markers, not all fibre has the exact same function. Therefore, it is important to consume a variety of fibres rather than just one. Read on to find out more, including links between diseases and changes of microbiota...

Over the summer break, based on new literature surrounding SIBO, IBS and of course immune health, I have curated a new and updated food plan: The Microbiome Restoration plan.

The goal of the Microbiome Restoration Food Plan is to increase diversity of species such as Lactobacilli , Bifido, Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii + other bacteria which produce health giving short chain fatty acids that positively impact not only of gut and digestive health but also support immunity, weight management and mood.

Will you join me in September on the mighty microbiome diet plan challenge?

Hot flushes and night sweats are hallmarks of menopause, occurring in more than 70% of women and can  last up to 10 years after menopause. They emerge as oestrogen and progesterone levels decline, and also good evidence implicates  the involvement of the autonomic nervous system too. In this post I’ll address the hormone component and next week the autonomic nervous system. 

The conventional medical mindset is that menopause is an oestrogen deficiency resulting from ovarian failure. While oestrogen levels  decrease during perimenopause, the truth is, levels do not fall appreciably until after a woman’s last period. In fact, far more women suffer from the effects of oestrogen  during the transition — that is, they have too much oestrogen relative to progesterone. Read on to find out Oestrogen Dominance Symptoms and the causes...

The question on everyone's lips right now is “how can I boost my immune system”? While the idea of taking a “superfood”, medication or touted “immune boosting supplement” is enticing, the truth of the matter is it is not that straight forward, simple or indeed possible. In fact we do not want to boost a system that is in any way inflamed already (more on this in a moment). The immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity and as such is a highly complex web of specialist organs, cells, hormones and chemicals that ebb and flow in response to its surrounding environment. What we are actually striving for is an immune system that is resilient.  

Lectins are abundant in raw legumes, nuts and grains, and most commonly found in the part of the seed that becomes the leaves when the plant sprouts. Like many seeds, Lectins are resistant to human digestion and they enter the blood unchanged. Because we don’t digest lectins, our immune system can produce antibodies to them. Read more to find out about lectins & inflammation...

In honour of IBS awareness month I wanted to turn the conversation back to this very important system - the Gastrointestinal System, that we fondly (or not so fondly if you suffer with IBS) call “The Gut”. 

When assessing clients that come to see me with functional digestive disorders, rather than focus on what specific disease they may or may not have, I endeavour to assess and restore normal function across all the roles and processes within the system. If any of these go aray - IBS can be the result. 

It is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the GP. As many as one in eight people have symptoms of IBS at any one time and it is a condition that greatly impacts daily life, causing sufferers anxiety about eating out or even going out for fear of a flare in their symptoms. In this blog I explain the key roles of the digestive system, dysbiosis and 3 ways dysbiosis can impact your Gut along with general recommendations of what to do.

I started writing this blog 3 days ago, and it’s just got longer and longer due to the many possible contributing factors that are at play in relation to the disease COVID19.

I wanted to share measured and science based information with you, and I’ve had my head in the literature and mind-mapping the contributing factors to now share with you. I’ve written it in a way to answer the questions that have arisen in my mind, such as “why does it impact the over 60’s, or those with pre-existing health conditions more”, and used valid research to help me map this out for you. However, I must emphasise I am not a virologist, I am a health professional with a passion for science and helping you, my community in any way I can...

The immune system acts to protect us, often with such efficiency, it goes unnoticed. The system is a complex network of specialized cells and tissues that interact through cell signalling molecules (cytokines), cell membrane receptors and intracellular mechanisms. Immune cells are found in nearly every tissue in the body, acting like bouncers at a nightclub detecting both foreign “antigens” (trouble makers) or damaged cells that have the potential to do harm.

Read more to learn about what the gut has to do with our immune system as well as an explanation of the The Innate and Adaptive Immune System and how supporting and improving T regulatory cell function can help...